Weigh in: 216.0

Oh I so wanted to be back to the 215s, but just didn’t quite get there.  Maybe another 5 minutes on the elliptical would have done it.  I went 30 minutes on the bike this morning, and 100 minutes on the elliptical.  I must say, I am getting tired and sore.  I have done at least 2 hours of work outs a day for the last week, it is killing me.  I think an hour a day is going to have to be enough. Which then brings me to the sad portion of our conversation, if I am exercising less, and losing 3 pounds a week, I will need to eat less.  Eating less is not something I am all that positive about.  Maybe a I only exercise one hour tomorrow, then take the Sabbath off, and go back to two hours on Monday?? I’ll have to think about that one.

I ended the day with net 372 calories. I ate 1,953 calories, but exercised 1,581 calories away.  I was under 1,294 calories including my daily allotment of 1,665 calories per day.  So far today I have taken in 175 calories, a granola bar and an apple, and exercised 1,667 calories away.  So I can eat 3,157 calories for the remainder of the day, and still be at net 1,600 calories of net intake.  Good place to be with date night coming up tonight, we always go out to eat, and it is rarely under 2,000 calories.

Weigh in: 217.2

So, down a few pounds since Monday, but not what I was hoping.  I was attempting to get all the way back down to 214 by now.  I guess eating more calories, and the extra hour of cardio isn’t quite working out.  Either I need to eat less or exercises more, and at 2 hours a day right now, I can’t really do more there.  Lower calories it is, which sucks, I love the goodies.

However, if things keep going like this, I could still be down 4 pounds for the week, which isn’t too shabby.  Just not the rapid weight gain I had when I was taking in a net 500 calories a day.  Currently it is around a number caloric intake of 1800 calories a day.  I think the 500 day sent my body in to conservation mode, so it is going to be packing on the extra weight for a while, until it is convinced there is no famine and it is okay to shed a few.  We shall see.  I do find it interesting the ups and downs of weight loss.  It used to frustrate me, but with the calorie counting and the freedom to eat whatever I want, the frustration is gone, it is just more interesting. Oh well.

Weigh in: 219.2

Yeah, so I had a bad weekend, up 5 pounds.  I didn’t really pay much attention to what I ate, I did exercise quite a bit, 2 hours on Saturday. I don’t exercise on Sunday.  Anyway, enjoyed some good meals, tons of calories, birthday cake, candy bars, and gaining 5 pounds was my reward.

I have this deal with myself, if I gain weight over the weekend, I have to exercise 120 minutes a day until I get back to the weight I was going into the weekend.  So although I have already exercised 80 minutes today, I have another 40 to do later today.  I really need to just watch my calories over the weekends, but there is something about doing it, that makes the weekends feel like the weekdays, and I can’t relax nor unwind. Makes sense I guess.  At work being responsible is easy, I have no choice. On the weekends, I am sick of being responsible, I just want/need a break to keep somewhat sane.  The people that watch their caloric intake everyday, have to be on the verge of a major breakdown. I think I am as mentally tough as most folks, but you just have to unwind eventually, or something is going to pop.  I would rather it be my waistline, than my mental stability.

Oh well, we all must pay for our mistakes, and my aching legs remind me constantly of my many delicious mistakes last weekend.

Weigh in: 214.2

Not bad, down a pound yesterday.  I didn’t touch any junk food, even when I took the kids out to eat at Wendy’s.  Our kids won’t eat their fries, and I sure hate to let fries to go waste, which is why I now fight to get back my waist.  Anyway.  Hit the stationary bike hard this morning, went 80 minutes at 17 miles per hour.  Burned a few calories.  Just found out we are going to be eating with friends at Flemmings Steak House tonight, so I am going to need to hop on the Elliptical here at the office for an hour to store up enough calories to take in a big steak.

Rather than not eating a fabulous steak, that seems like the better way to go.  I’ll skipped dessert and the loaded bake potato I normally get, and just go with a steak and the wedge.  It will be fine.

Weekends are the toughest for me, I need to be on my best behavior and stay away from the junk food and treats.  Otherwise I will find the weigh in on Monday morning extraordinarily depressing, as it was last Monday.  Just need to remember that feeling.  No gaining 4 pounds over the weekend.

Weigh in: 215.6

Not a bad result from a pretty tough day.  Work got so bad I couldn’t leave for lunch, so I didn’t get to eat much (2 apples and some carrots). Then when I got home, I had some church activities to attend to, so I just zapped a chicken breast and called it good.  Not a great way to go, I need to make sure to eat 1600 calories a day, or my body is going into starvation mode, and when I start eating a normal 2400 calories a day, I am going to pack on the pounds.  Not cool.

I am happy to have lost 25 pounds to this point, in one month, so just under a pound a day, not too bad.  If I keep it up I should reach 199 by Halloween, which would be nice.  Have to just stay with it.

Weigh in: 217.4

I actually weighed in at 218.6 on Saturday morning, but later that day started coming down with the flu.  I abandoned the diet and starting eating normally. It actually felt quite good.  Then only real probably was on Monday morning I weighed in at 224 pounds.  So I gained 6 pounds in 2 days?!?  I guess exercise and watching what you eat is a big deal.  I was quite shocked my weight shot up that quickly, I wasn’t happy.  I have been very good for the last 3 days, and finally got back down below that 218 level.  I am going to see what happens the next few days, but if the weight doesn’t keep coming off, I may start working out twice a day to pick up the pace.  I don’t like getting on the scale in the morning and seeing I have gained, or not lost anything.

Oh well, I am calming down now I have seemed to righted the ship, and down at my lowest level so far.

Weigh in: 220.6

Tough day yesterday, I was bitterly hungry, but stuck to my guns. Stayed under the 1600 calorie limit, and got two bouts of exercise in.  I think the biggest problem with taking in so few calories, then burning most of those off with exercise it plain and simple, I am blasted tired.  I fall asleep 2 hours earlier than I use to, and get up at the same time I used to.  But I am still a little lethargic during the day.  I guess it is worth the price, if the weight keeps coming off.

I’ve decided once I get to the 199 level, maybe 195, I am going to stay at 1600 calories a day, but only exercise once.  Then slowly up my caloric intake and get it up to where it needs to be, like 2200 or so.  Keep exercising each day and just maintain at that point.  It will be tough through the holidays, but there is quite of food that can be eaten at 2200 calories a day.

Weigh in: 222.2.

I think I am on to something, I don’t know how long you can maintain this lifestyle, but if you can do it, it pays off big time.  Down another 2 pounds yesterday, I was totally happy with 1/2 a pound a day, this is awesome.  There is much to say about exercising away the same amount of calories you are taking in, then the calories your body burns daily for life supporting activities are burning more, and you are always in a caloric deficit.  Exercising this much can’t be sustainable over the long haul, but it doesn’t need to be.  You only have to do it until the weight is off.  Then you can go back to eating 2,000 calories a day and exercising and maintain that weight without issue.  Hmmmm.  Pretty good experiment going on.  Nice to see the weight coming off.

Weigh in: 224.4

I worked out with my trainer this morning, about killed me.  I think attempting to go with net 0 calories each day is not going to give me enough energy to work out hard. If you take in 1600 calories, but then exercise enough to burn 1600 calories, you have nothing left.  And I mean nothing.

Last night ended well, stuck to the diet, no treats or bad stuff yesterday.  Kind of showed with the 3 pounds lost I guess.  Today I have only had a half a grapefruit, I don’t like those things, way to sour.  Looking forward to a good lunch.

Weigh in: 224.4

I am embarrassed to admit I fell off the wagon a bit.  Had some stressful days at work, and my weight shot back up to 234.  I have since calmed it back down, got back in control of the caloric intake and weighed in this morning at 227.4. So about what I was went the I fell off the wagon.  Feeling more resolved than ever to get down to 199.  Did one hour on the bike this morning.  Plan another hour on the elliptical at lunch.  Figure if I stay at 1,600 calories a day, but exercise twice, then I will end each day at about a negative 1400 total calories.  The weight has to come off like that, HAS TO.  We shall see.  I much prefer exercising more, than eating less.  I need 1,600 calories a day just to stay sane.